18 Weird Inventions From the Early 20th Century That Didn’t Quite Catch On

Author image for John Summers
John Summers • Contributor
Sep 9, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

People like to think the early 1900s were a simpler time, but honestly? They were just as weird as we are now, maybe even weirder. Case in point: the bizarre gadgets, contraptions, and "miracle solutions" inventors tried to sell back then. Some of them were basically harmless oddities (like a rocking bathtub that made you feel like you were in the ocean), while others were downright terrifying (looking at you, face glove).

The thing is, not every invention makes it into the future - but looking back at the ones that didn't is both hilarious and a little unsettling. Imagine walking into a diner and sitting down on a stool that secretly weighs you before you order that milkshake, or strapping a rubber mask to your head three times a week in the name of beauty. Yikes.

These 18 inventions from the early 20th century are proof that people have always been experimenting, always been hustling, and always been a little bit out of their minds. And while most of these contraptions didn't survive the test of time, they definitely deserve a spot in the "what were they thinking?" hall of fame.

Advertisement
  • 01

    The “Niagara” Wave & Rocking Bath

    SEASIDE A TREAT never experienced before. Gives the FULLEST ILLU- SION of a Sea or River Bath. ABSOLUTELY no water splashing in the room. ONLY 3 pails of hot or cold water required. Keeps the blood in ACTIVE circulation. STRONGLY made of tinned steel, and ARTISTICAL enamelled. Will last a lifetime. SPECIALLY RECOMMENDED for Invalids. Delicate People and Children. Price £3 10s. Complete. 5 per cent. discount for Cash if you mention this paper when writing. " AT THE HOME KAWIARNIANY эна NIAGARA" W
    via Rare Historical Photos

    It says "ABSOLUTELY no water splashing in the room" but I doubt it

  • 02

    Multi-purpose cane

    2
    via Rare Historical Photos

    You never know when you'll need a butterfly net

  • 03

    Surprise Chair

    SURPRISE CHAIR Fig. 1.
    via Rare Historical Photos

    For the person who wants less friends

  • 04

    Solar Bath Apparatus

    Solar Bath Apparatus Helps Cure Diseases of the Head NO, THE peculiar looking device in the photo at left is not a camera, nor even a telescope, although partially resembling both. It is a new solar bath apparatus for the head and has made a great hit with the medical fraternity of Germany. The main purpose of the device is to cure sicknesses of the head, like catarrh of the nose and throat or of the ears. It reposes on a sta- tionary upright and has an opening in under side for a patient's head
    via Rare Historical Photos

    Cure Diseases of the Head by blasting it with UV light

  • 05

    Clock Phonograph

    Clock Wakes Sleeper with Music 12 Combination phonograph, alarm clock awakens you in the morning with music from a record. HE violent hatred which humanity has for alarm clocks, especially around the hours of daybreak, may be mitigated some- what by the invention of a combination phon- ograph and clock which awakens a sleeper with the strains of music from his favorite orchestra or singer. Both phonograph and clock motor is con- tained in a box the size of a large camera, and the hour for the mo
    via Rare Historical Photos

    This actually makes perfect sense and I like it!

  • 06

    Flying Saucer Camera

    Videon Flying Saucer Camera will be used by Air Force to clear up saucer questions. One lens takes regular picture; the other separates light into colors so scientists can judge the source and make-up of saucers.
    via Rare Historical Photos

    "so scientists can judge the source and make-up of saucers"

  • 07

    Goofybike

    K C Bike Keeps Family in Stitches. ARRYING four persons and a sewing machine, the world's weirdest bicycle re- cently had a tryout in Chicago, Ill. The two- story vehicle, known as the "Goofybike," is the creation of Charles Steinlauf. It carries the whole Steinlauf family. The inventor rides at the top and guides the contraption by means of a huge automobile steering wheel. Mrs. Steinlauf sits below, operating a sewing machine, while her son pedals behind and her daughter rides on the handlebar
    via Rare Historical Photos

    This seems safe

  • 08

    Cigarette Case to Keep Track

    When somebody cadges a smoke, press a special button to open the case. A counter registers the gift, keeping track of those given away Cigarette Case Keeps Account of Smokes Given to Friends A NOVEL cigarette case keeps tabs on the cigarettes your friends "borrow." When you want a smoke yourself, press one button to open the case. But when an acquaintance "bums" a cigarette, press a second button. This not only opens the case but operates a counter built into the case. 4237
    via Rare Historical Photos

    If you're a guy who needs this, you already have no friends

  • 09

    Glamour Bonnet

    "Glamour Bonnet" Provides Vacuum To Aid Complexion SOME persons believe a mud pack is the answer to the search for a beautiful complexion, others think massage will do the trick, but Mrs. D. M. Ackerman, of Hollywood, Calif., has decided that reduced air pressure is a good treat- ment. So she has devised a "glamour bonnet" like a diver's helmet with which the atmospheric pressure around the beauty seeker's head can be lowered. The effect is similar to what a person feels who climbs a high mounta
    via Rare Historical Photos

    "The effect is similar to what a person feels who climbs a high mountain or flies high in a plane" - so… no effect

  • 10

    Electric Shaver Haircutting Guide

    Cut Hair with Your Electric Shaver With the Electric Shaver Haircutting Guide anyone owning a Remington, Schick or Norelco shaver can give a good haircut. Made of metal, the wire guide has an overall length of eight inches and a width of three inches. In use, the shaver is inserted in the adaptor which holds it in position and the entire unit is placed against the head. One hand holds the guide while the other hand moves the shaver up and down as illustrated. Included in the $2.98 guide price ar
    via Rare Historical Photos

    Yeah… I don't think that would work

  • 11

    Umbrella-Equipped Cigarette Holder

    No More Rain-Soaked Cigarettes! ANY are the inventions devised to in- Msure a dry smoke, but it has remained for a clown appearing with a circus in Eng- land to solve the problem. An umbrella over the smoke keeps off water and a spigot drains off excess moisture. Here is how an English clown solved the problem of keeping his cigarette dry in wet weather.
    via Rare Historical Photos

    "An English clown"

  • 12

    Scale in Soda-Fountain Seat

    Scale in Soda-Fountain Seat Warns Overweight Patrons SODA-FOUNTAIN patrons may watch their weight as they enjoy their drinks and sun- daes, with the invention of a counter seat that also serves as a scale. Through levers beneath the pedestal of the seat, the custom- er's weight actuates an indicator built into the counter. By consulting the dial, customers can decide whether to order fattening foods. "Better not take that fudge sundae," this customer muses when she sees the reading on the dial s
    via Rare Historical Photos

    Shame yourself into eating less

  • 13

    Breathing Balloon for Big Breasts

    Breathing Balloon will develop your form, if that's what you want. It'll also train you to breathe deeply by measuring your lung capacity by means of the shut-off valve. Moore's, 14548 Forrer Ave., Detroit, Michigan.
    via Rare Historical Photos

    it's… just a balloon

  • 14

    Stamp Licker

    河 5781 Hav
    via Rare Historical Photos

    Licking stamps used to be a daily thing

  • 15

    Vigor’s Horse-Action Saddle

    The Readiest Road to Health Is by means of PHYSICAL EXERCISE, and the easiest and readiest mode of Exercise is by using VIGOR'S HORSE-ACTION Which not only provides, as Dr. GEORGE FLEMING, C.C., writes, "A PERFECT SUB- STITUTE FOR THE LIVE HORSE" but acts so benefi- cially upon the system as to be of almost priceless value. It PROMOTES GOOD SPIRITS QUICKENS THE CIRCULATION, STIMULATES SADDLE THE LIVER REDUCES CORPULENCE CREATES APPETITE CURES INDIGESTION AND GOUT. The Field; "We have had an oppo
    via Rare Historical Photos

    "The problem with young people today is that they don't ride enough horses!"

  • 16

    Madam Rowley’s Toilet Mask (or Face Glove)

    MADAM ROWLEY'S Trade Mark Registered. TOILET MASK (OR FACE CLOVE) To be Worn Three Times in the Week. Is a natural beautifier for bleaching and preserving the skin and removing com- plexional imperfections. It is soft and flexible in form, and can be easily applied, and worn without discomfort or in- convenience. It is recommended by eminent physicians and scientists as a substitute for injurious cosmetics. COMPLEXION BLEMISHES may be hid- den imperfectly by cosmetics and powders, but can only b
    via Rare Historical Photos

    I don't know if "Face Glove" is a better name than "Toilet Mask"

  • 17

    Fence Cycle

    Caroline Rochford-
    via Rare Historical Photos

    That's it… It's a fence cycle 

  • 18

    Water Hunting Tripod

    Cheezburger Image 10552003328
    via Rare Historical Photos

    Or… you know… a boat.

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

design fail 1990s 90s memes retro architecture clever nostalgia design smart interesting 80s music Nostalgia Overload buildings designer 80s 90s kids 90s bad design building beauty memory lane good design nostalgia memes graphic design beautiful millennial-nostalgia 1980s
Scroll Down For The Next Article